•*- 


TIGER 


BT  WITTER    BTNNER 

AN    ODE    TO    HARVARD 

AND    OTHER    POEMS 
TIGER 


TIGER 

by  WITTER  BYNNER 


NEW  YORK 

MITCHELL   KENNERLEY 
1913 


COPYRIGHT  1913  BY 
MJTCH£LL  KENNERLEY 


T  I   G  E 


>;> 


'Tiger,  tiger,  burning  bright 
In   the  forests   of  the  night, 
What  immortal  hand  or  eye 
Framed  thy  fearful  symmetry?' 


Tiger 


Time:  To-night. 

Scene:  A  room  in  a  house  not  far  east  of 
Times  Square.  A  curtained  door  at  the  hack 
of  the  stage  leads  into  the  hallway.  A  closed 
door  at  the  right  leads  into  an  inner  bedroom. 
The  furniture  and  -pictures  are  more  showy 
than  expensive.  The  shades  are  drawn. 

At  the  rise  of  the  curtain,  the  keeper  of  the 
house  sits  in  an  easy-chair.  She  is  a  woman 
of  thirty-five,  handsome,  well-dressed.  Her 
familiars  call  her  Tiger,  on  account  of  her 
hard,  lithe  brilliance.  She  is  looking  over  a 
handful  of  bills  and  writing  cheques  with  a 
fountain-pen  on  the  arm  of  the  chair.  On  a 
couch  reclines  Annabel,  a  girl  of  twenty-four^ 
beginning  to  fade  under  her  paint,  but  an  effec 
tive  type  still,  with  her  hair  parted  and  drawn 
simply  over  her  forehead  to  a  flat  coil  behind. 

7 


&  TlGEK 

She  is  in  a  loose,  thin  dressing-gown,  reading 
a  novel,  eating  chocolates  and  smoking  cigar 
ettes.  An  ash-tray,  cigarettes,  chewing-gum 
and  the  chocolates  are  on  a  chair  beside  the 
couch.  At  a  table  across  the  room,  a  man  of 
thirty,  with  somewhat  refined  features,  a  sug 
gestive  pallor  and  flush,  and  a  habit  of  biting 
the  skin  on  his  red  lips  and  of  rubbing  his 
thumb  over  his  finger-tips,  is  pouring  himself 
a  glass  of  straight  gin.  He  is  over-dressed, 
over-mannered  and  wears  several  bright  rings, 
but  might  pass  with  the  young  for  a  gentleman. 
On  account  of  what  is  known  as  his  'class,'  he 
has  been  dubbed  The  Baron. 

ANNABEL. 

Put  water  in  it,  Baron.     Spare  your  liver. 

BARON. 

Mind  your  own  liver  and  shut  up,  will  you? 
Whenever  I  want  your  dope,  I'll  ask  for  it. 
[She  returns  to  her  reading.  He  gulps 
his  drink,  then  loiters  toward  Tiger.  Sud 
denly  he  sits  on  the  arm  of  her  chair, 
catches  her  close  and  kisses  her  hard] 


TIGER  9 

TIGER. 

[Pushing  him  away~\ 
Cut  out  that  stuff,  Baron. 

[Picking  up  her  bills  from  the  floor'] 

Come  across  first 
With  what  you  promised. 

BARON. 

Oh,  you  needn't  worry, 
Dear    Mama    Shylock.     You're    going    to 

have  your  pound 
Of  flesh, — I've  said  that  you  shall  have  her 

here 
To-night.   She  may  be  waiting  for  me  now — 

[He  looks  at  his  wrist-watch} 
Less  than  a  block  away,  ready  to  serve 
And    honor    and    obey    me. — Damn    you, 

Tiger ! 

I  wonder  if  I  love  you  more  or  hate  you. 
Damn  you,  anyway ! 

TIGER. 

Oh,  swear  your  head  off! 
Go  over  it  again,  make  up  your  mind 
One  way  and  then  the  other! 


io  TIGER 

[Looking  up  from  her  bills'] 

Kiss  me,  kid ! 

[He  kisses  her  hungrily.     She  stands  up 
and  throws  him  away  from  her] 
Now  snarl  at  me,  you  cur.     I  don't  know 

why 

I  keep  you  round;  except  to  purr  and  snarl 
Myself, — first     kiss     your     feminine     eyes 

because 
They  look  so  lost  in  the  world,  then  curse 

your  breed, 

You  most  of  all,  because  you're  so  unlike 
The  brutes  I'm  tired  of. 

[She  crosses  to  lay  bills  and  cheques  in 
her  desk] 

But  what's  the  use 
Of  bothering?     You  suit  me.     And  you're 

good 
For  the  business.     Run  along  and  bring  her 

here. 
[She  sits  at  her  desk  and  writes] 

BARON. 

Remember  now.     She's  young,  and  I'm  her 
first 


TIGER  1 1 

Offence.     And  I've  been  careful  with  her, 

Tiger, 

Not  touched  her  fingers  only  once  or  twice 
And    used    good    English    and    been    sym 
pathetic. 

TIGER. 

Oh,  yes,  I  know  all  that. 

BARON. 

[Taking     a     cigarette     from     Annabel's 
supply] 

She's  different  tho', 

She  hasn't  got  the  taste  for  it  beforehand 
Most  of  them  have. 

TIGER. 

[Looking  round  as  she  seals  a  letter\ 

Then  she's  the  very  kind 
We  want,  old  boy.     The  other  kind  is  com 
mon 

And  some  of  our  customers   amuse   them 
selves, 

You  know,  by  being  fastidious.     Is  she  a 
blonde  ? 


12  TIGER 

BARON. 
Brunette. 

TIGER. 

Worse  luck. 
BARON. 

No,  you  can  fix  that  up. 
Light  hair'd  go  fine  with  her  dark  eyes,  good 

change. 

She's  just  the  girl  for  it,  solemn  and  slow 
And  innocent.     Poor  kid,  I  pity  her. 

TIGER. 

You  act  like  you  were  getting  stuck  on  her; 
Perhaps  she'll  keep  you  when  you're  tired 
of  me. 

BARON. 

You've  got  me  hypnotized.   I  don't  get  tired. 

TIGER. 

[She  approaches  him,  seductively,  mock 
ingly] 
Be  true  to  me,  sweetheart! 


TIGER 13 

BARON. 

To  hell  with  you! 

[She  lays  her  hand  insidiously  on  his  arm. 
At  once  he  seizes  and  kisses  her.  She 
leads  him  to  the  hallway  door,  and  opens 
it  as  he  kisses  her  again,  then  she  pushes 
him  out  with  both  hands  and,  closing  the 
door,  turns  back  to  Annabel,  who  at  every 
amorous  passage  between  Tiger  and  the 
Baron  has  looked  up  from  her  book  and 
watched  with  curious  but  accustomed  in 
terest] 

ANNABEL. 

[Chewing  gum} 
Gee,  but  I  wish  I  had  a  man  like  that! 

TIGER. 

You'd  have  one,  dear,  if  you  were  business 
like. 

ANNABEL. 

[Shaking  her  head  and  marking  her  place 

in  the  book  with  a  cigarette} 
I  couldn't  hold  a  man.     They  get  so  bored 
With  me.     And,  after  all,  there  isn't  much 


14  TIGER 

To  say  to  one  man.     I'd  be  bored  myself 
To  have  to  think  of  new  things  all  the  time. 
Variety,  Tiger,  is  the  spice  of  life, 
Not  in  the  spiel  but  in  the  spielers.     Dear, 
Do  you  like  my  hair  this  way?    One  of  the 

boys 

Suggested  that  it  makes  me  look  too  old. 
I  think  I'll  put  it  back  again. 
[She  starts  to  uncoil  *'/] 

TIGER. 

No,  no! 

Leave  it  to  me !    You'll  be  told  quick  enough 
When  you  look  old.     Let  it  alone. 

ANNABEL. 

Well,  looks 
Ain't  everything.     I'm  getting  wise  to  the 

game. 

Say  to  a  gink,  'Your  nose  is  beautiful,1 
'Your  mouth  was  made  to  kiss/  or  call  his 

figure 
Military. 

[She  examines  herself  critically  in  a  hand- 
mirror  which  she  takes  from  under  a  sofa- 
cushion] 


TIGER  !  5 

TIGER. 

There's  just  one  kind  of  figure 
That  makes  a  hit  with  me.      A  good  full 
chest ! 

ANNABEL. 

Gee,  ain't  they  handsome  when  they  have 

green — backs ! 
[They  laugh~\ 

I  told  a  guy  last  night  that  it  takes  dough 
To  make  a  tart.     Dear,  that's  my  own! 

TIGER. 

And  say, 

Here's  business,  Annabel,  take  it  from  me ! 
You've  seen  the  belly  on  the  dollar-sign?— 
Well,  the  man  who  has  the  stomach  has  the 
figure ! 

ANNABEL. 

I've  noticed  that. 

TIGER. 

Sure  thing!     And  while  he  thinks 


1 6  TIGER 

You're  waiting  for  his  phoney  kisses — pay 
Attention  to  his  stomach  and  his  roll! 
Make  him  eat,  drink  and  spend!     My  dear, 

the  way 
To  passion's  thro*  the  stomach  every  time. 

ANNABEL. 

[Meditative'] 
Champagne,  you  mean? 

TIGER. 

Eve  got  there  with  an  apple. 
But  the  apple  has  fermented  some  since  then. 

ANNABEL. 

[Laughing  with  Tiger} 
We  have  a  good  time,  don't  we! 

TIGER 

You  do,  dear. 
You've     been     here     seven     months     and, 

Annabel, 

You  never  once  in  all  that  time  have  had 
A  grouch. 


TIGER  17 

ANNABEL. 

You're  square  with  me,  Tiger,  that's 
why. 

TIGER. 

But,  on  the  level,  you  don't  like  the  life? 

ANNABEL. 

Better  than  selling  underwear  to  women 
And  paying  fines    on   four   whole   bucks    a 

week! 
Talk   as   you   please,    the   men   have   more 

respect 

For  a  girl  that's  a  good  looker  and  can  earn 
A  seat  in  a  restaurant  than  for  a  dub 
Who   stands  up    all   day   waiting   on   their 

wives. 

TIGER. 

Besides,  you  have  as  good  a  chance  as  me 
To  save  up  coin  enough  before  you're  old 
And  rent  a  house   and  get  some   girls  to 
gether — 
And  after  a  while  to  live  in  a  good  hotel 


i8 TIGER 

And  settle  down  respectable. — Perhaps 
A  friend  or  two.     But  independent. 

ANNABEL. 

Chance ! 

Yes,  I've  got  that.    But,  dear,  I  haven't  got 
The  brains  to  make  a  hit  in  any  line. 
I  know  my  limit  and  I'm  satisfied. 
I'm  better  off  than  I  ever  was  at  home, 
And  that's  enough.    The  future  can  go  hang. 
There's  more  than  one  way  to  prepare  a 

corpse. 
Ain't  I  the  cheerful  guy? 

TIGER. 

You're  lazy,  dear, 
That's  all  the  matter  with  you. 

ANNABEL. 

Who's  the  new  girl? 

TIGER. 

Oh,  I  don't  know.     The  Baron  falls  for  me. 
So  I  can  trust  his  taste. 

ANNABEL. 

Say,  does  he  fall? 
He's  jealous,  now,  of  me! 


TIGER  19 

TIGER. 

Who's  on  the  job 
Downstairs? 

ANNABEL. 

Cassie  to-night.  I'm  tired.  She  knows 
The  steps  and  laughs  a  lot,  loosens  'em  up. 
She's  popular. 

TIGER. 

And  she's  the  Baron's  work,—* 
He  brought  her  here  last  winter.      Cassie 

thinks 

The  Baron  the  one  bet  and  he,  poor  kid, 
Just  keeps  her  on  because  I  tell  him  to. 
And  see  how  well  the  combination  works  ? — 
The  happy  family! 

ANNABEL. 

Business-like's  the  word! 

[A  knock  is  heard  at  the  hallway  door} 

TIGER. 

Quick  there!     Be  business-like  yourself  for 

once ! 
Clear  off  those  things! 


20  TIGER 

ANNABEL. 

All  right. 

[While  Annabel  puts  bottles  and  glasses 
under  the  table  so  that  they  are  hidden  by 
the  table-cover,  Tiger  picks  up  the  gum, 
cigarettes  and  ash-tray  from  the  chair  and 
tucks  them  all  under  a  sofa-cushion.  The 
knock  is  repeated] 

ANNABEL. 

My  fancy-work, 
Where  is  it? 

TIGER. 

[Taking  a  piece  of  embroidery  from  under 
a  cushion] 

Here. 

[She  hands  it  to  Annabel  and  crosses  to 
the  easy-chair~] 

ANNABEL. 

[Sitting  on  the  couch,  with  the  embroid 
ery,  as  thoy  she  had  been  sewing'] 

Now  we're  a  boarding-house! 


TIGER  2  1 

TIGER. 

Throw  me  the  book! 

[Annabel  throws  Tiger  the  novel  from 
the  couch,  Tiger  holds  it  as  though  she 
had  been  reading~\ 

Come  in! 

[The  Baron  enters,  leading  by  the  hand 
Margaret,  a  simple,  romantic  girl  of 
sixteen.  She  is  in  street-clothes.  She 
looks  toward  the  two  women  bashfully, 
innocently,  as  they  rise  and  come  toward 


BARON. 

It's  Margaret. 
This    is    Miss    Dillingham,    my    aunt,    and 

here's 
My  Cousin  Ann. 

MARGARET. 

How  do  you  do?     Gene's  told 
Me  lots  about  you.     I  suppose  you  think 
I'm  foolish  running  away  like  this? 


22  TIGER 

TIGER. 

Why,  no! 
You  loved  each  other,  Margaret. 

MARGARET. 

My  aunt 

Was  angry  when  he  wanted  to  call.     You 
see, 

She's  not  like  you,   Miss  Dillingham;  she's 
set 

And  so  old-fashioned.    And  she  thought  be 
cause 

Gene  works  in  a  store  he  isn't  good  enough. 

She  said  I  never  should  have  talked  with 
him 

At  all.     And  then  she  didn't  like  his  voice 

On  the  telephone.     .     .     .     I  do,  don't  I, 
Eugene  1 

BARON. 

[His  arm  round  her'} 
I  guess  you  do,  darling. 

MARGARET. 

You  see,  my  aunt 
Has  been  with  us  for  years  and  father  takes 


TIGER  23 

Her  word  as  law.     I  knew  what  she  would 

say 

About  Eugene  and  how  she'd  make  it  sound. 
At  first  I  thought  he'd  better  go  himself 
And  see  my  father. 

BARON. 

But  I  told  you,  dear, 
He  wouldn't  fall  for  me.     And  I  couldn't 

give 
You  up,  now  could  I  ? 

MARGARET. 

No.     And  so  I  thought 
And  thought — and  prayed.     And  finally  I 
came. 

TIGER. 

And  aren't  you  tired  out?    Let  Annabel 
Show  you  your  room.     You  ought  to  rest 

before 
Your  marriage,  dear. 

[Annabel  opens  the  bedroom  door.  Mar 
garet,  vaguely  troubled,  does  not  follow 
her-] 


24  TIGER 

MARGARET. 


We  must  be  married  now. 


BARON. 

To-morrow. 


MARGARET. 

Oh,  I  thought  to-night. 

BARON. 

But  first 

I  have  to  get  a  license  and  attend 
To  things  like  that.     And  I  can  leave  you 

here 
With  Tige — Miss  Dillingham.     She'll  take 

good  care 
Of  you. 

MARGARET. 

[Doubtfully] 

I'll  do,  Gene,  as  you  say. 

ANNABEL. 

Your  room 
Is  ready  for  you. 


TIGER  25 

MARGARET. 

{Crossing  to  the  Baron] 

Oh,  if  only  I 
Had  seen  my  father!     He  might  not  have 

felt 

As  Aunt  Louisa  felt.     It  seems  so  mean 
Of  me  to  run  away  from  him.     But  I  left 
A  little  message  on  his  dressing-case 
Saying   that   he   would  hear   from   me   to 
morrow. 

TIGER. 

You  didn't  write  him  anything  about 
Eugene? — or  where  you 

MARGARET. 

We  thought  best  to  wait, 
Not  to  say  anything  till  we  could  go 
To  him  together,  married,  hand  in  hand, 
And  make  him  like  us  both. 

TIGER. 

When  will  he  find 
The  note? 


26  TIGER 

MARGARET. 

To-night.      Or — let   me    see, — 
what  day — ? 

Why,  it's  Friday!     Then  he  won't  be  home 

till  Monday. 

I  hadn't  thought  o.f  that.     He  always  goes 
To  the  country  somewhere  Sunday  with  his 

friends. 

Poor  Aunt  Louisa  will  be  scared  to  death 
When  I'm  not  back  for  dinner. 

ANNABEL. 

But  she'll  find 
The  note. 

BARON. 

Surely,  and  send  your  father  word. 

MARGARET. 

She  won't  know  where  to  reach  him. 

ANNABEL. 

Then  I'll  go 
Outside   and   'phone   her   that   you're    safe 

with  me, — 
One  of  your  friends.    Who  shall  I  say  I  am? 


TIGER  27 

MARGARET. 

Oh  no,  that  would  be  worse. 

TIGER. 

That  would  be  lying. 
You  must  be  tired,  Margaret. 

MARGARET. 

Yes,  I  am. 

[With  a  smile'] 
You  see,  I  never  ran  away  before. 

ANNABEL. 

Didn't  you  bring ? 

MARGARET. 

I  didn't  dare.     I  just 
Went  out  and  walked  like  some  one  in  a 

dream 

And  took  the  train.     My  heart  was  beat 
ing  so, 

I   thought   that   people   would   look   round 
at  me. 

TIGER. 

And  did  they? 


28 TIGER 

MARGARET. 

No. 

TIGER. 

That's  right!    Come, 
Annabel, 

She's   talked   enough   for  now.     Lend  her 

something 
To  wear  to-night. 


ANNABEL. 

Sure  will  I. 

[As  she  goes  up  toward  the  hallway  door, 
a  knock  is  heard] 

Who's  there? 

[She   opens  the  door  slightly   and  takes 
from  some  one  a  cup  of  tea] 

Thanks. 

TIGER. 

[Crossing     and     taking     the     cup    from 
Annabel] 

Oh,  yes,  we've  made  some  nice,  hot  tea. 
[Exit  Annabel] 


TIGER  29 

MARGARET. 

I  don't 
Like  tea. 

TIGER. 

Take  it  this  once,  it'll  do  you  good. 
MARGARET. 

[Tasting  it'] 
Isn't  it  very  strong? 

TIGER. 

There's  medicine 

MARGARET. 

I  don't  need  medicine. 

TIGER. 

It's  very  little. 

Only   to   rest  your   nerves   and   make    you 
sleep. 

MARGARET. 

[To  the  Baron] 
I'll  take  it  if  you  ask  me. 

BARON. 

Take  it,  dear. 
That's  right.     All  down! 


30  TIGER 

MARGARET. 

It  burns. 

BARON. 

One 

swallow  more ! 
[Annabel  returns  with  a  night-dress~] 

TIGER. 

Leave   her   to    Ann    and   me   now   till   the 
morning. 

BARON. 

There.     Thank  you,  sweetheart. 

[He  takes  the  empty  cup  from  her  and 
hands  it  to  Tiger,  who  lays  it  down] 

Good-night, 
Margaret 
[He  holds  her  hand  in  both  his'] 

MARGARET. 

Good-night,  Eugene. 

[She  shyly  lifts  her  face  to  him.  He  kisses 
her] 


TIGER      31 

BARON. 

To-morrow,  darling! 

MARGARET. 

Yes. 

[Margaret  goes  into  the  bedroom.  Anna 
bel,  with  a  wink  to  the  others,  follows 
her,  closing  the  door.  The  Baron  turns 
from  Margaret  and  looks  at  Tiger,  who 
stands  facing  him  with  her  arms  down. 
She  smiles  and  nods.  He  crosses  to  her, 
puts  his  arms  round  her,  holds  her  now 
with  assurance  and  kisses  her.  She  re 
sponds  by  kissing  his  eyes. 

The  stage  now  darkens  to  indicate  the 
lapse  of  time  from  Friday  night  to  Sunday 
night.  When  it  grows  light  again,  a  small 
table  is  beside  the  couch,  with  a  chair  or 
two  round  it,  and  with  cards  on  it 
and  poker-chips.  The  Baron  sits  on 
the  couch  idly  throwing  poker-dice.  An 
nabel,  who  has  been  as  idly  watching 
him,  crosses  to  the  closed  door  of  the  bed 
room  and  leans  with  her  ear  to  the  crack 
of  it} 


32  TIGER 

ANNABEL. 

[Moving  away  again  from  the  door'] 
That   little    girl's   more    bother   than    she's 
worth. 

BARON. 

[Still  throwing  the  dice} 
The  stuff  you  gave  her  in  that  tea  started 
The  devil  in  her.     Every  finger-nail 
In  action !  Tiger  bawled  me  out  for  quitting. 
Poor  little  girl!     I  wish  she  wasn't  caught. 
Damn  it,  I  was  a  dog! 

ANNABEL. 

Well,  you  lap  the  hand 
That  feeds  you ! 

BARON. 

[Putting  down  the  dice] 

Shut  up  now!     I  can  know  myself 
And  kick  myself.    But  I  won't  let  you  do  it  I 

ANNABEL. 

Oh,  well,  who  wants  to  kick  a  rotten  egg? 


TIGER 33 

BARON. 

[He  jumps  up  and,  catching  her  by  the 
wrist,  twists  it] 
I'll  teach  you 

ANNABEL. 

[Catching  him  in  the  stomach  with  her 
knee'] 

Will  you? 

[Tiger  enters  from  the  hallway] 

TIGER. 

Stop  making  love, 
you  two! 

[Crossing  and  listening  at  the  door] 
How  is  she,  quiet? 

ANNABEL. 

There  hasn't  been  a  squeak 
To-day. 

BARON. 

[Each  at  his  dice~\ 

My  God,    she   couldn't  cry 
any  more ! 


34  TIGER 

{Tiger  turns  round  at  his  tone,  crosses  to 
him,  lifts  his  chin  with  her  fingers  and 
looks  into  his  eyes~\ 

TIGER 

If  you  should  dare  to  let  her  out,  you  fool! 

BARON. 

Who's  going  to  let  her  out?    I  did  the  thing. 
And  I  know  why.     And  you  know  why  I 

did  it! 
TIGER. 

[Walking  away  from  him~\ 
I've  paid  you. 

BARON. 

[Amorous'] 

Kiss  me,  Tige! 
TIGER. 

Let  me  alone ! 
[Turning  sharply~\ 
Good  God,  you  don't  think  I'm  in  this  for 

fun! 

I'm  in  it  for  the  future.    And  there'll  be 
No  Baron  in  my  future. 
[She  walks  away  again] 


TIGER  35 

BARON. 

[He    follows     her     and,     grasping     her 
shoulders,  turns  her  to  face  him] 

Wait  and  see! 

You'll  need  me,  Tiger,  more  than  I'll  need 
you. 

TIGER. 

[Looking  at  him  shrewdly] 
You    think    so?      Annabel,    bring   me    her 

clothes. 
I  guess  I'll  keep  an  eye  on  them  myself. 

[Exit  Annabel  into  the  hall] 

BARON. 

There's    mighty    little    you    don't    keep    an 
eye  on. 

TIGER. 

You  nearly  took  up  Cassie  for  your  girl, 
And  Cassie  bores  you,  Baron.     Some  one's 

got 
To  use  their  eyes  for  you.     You  don't  use 

yours. 


36 TIGER      

BARON. 

You're    jealous,    Tige.      Insult   me,    kid,    I 
love  it! 

TIGER. 

It's  business,  Baron.     Jealousy's  a  joke. 
You  know  me  well  enough  to  quit  your  bluff 
And  quit  me  too,  or  else  to  give  this  girl 
The  go-by.     It's  plain  business.     Do  you  get 
me? 

ANNABEL. 

{Returning  with  Margaret's  clothes  and 
hat'] 
Where  shall  I  put  them,  Tiger? 

TIGER. 

Leave  them  there 

For  now.    And  put  that  over  them. 

[She  indicates  her  own  cloak.     Annabel 
lays  them  on  the  couch] 

BARON. 

[Cowed] 

You're  dippy. 
I  wouldn't  do  a  thing  you  didn't  want. 


TIGER  37 

TIGER. 

[Crossing  toward  the  bedroom] 
What  time  is  it?    I  guess  I'll  try  again. 

BARON. 

She  hasn't  had  a  bite  of  food — since  when? 

ANNABEL. 

Not  since  she  came. 

BARON. 

Lord,  Tiger,  give  her  something! 

TIGER. 

This  is  my  business  now.    You've  done  your 

part. 
Get  out  of  here ! 


BARON. 

You  bet! 

TIGER. 

Come  back  on  Tuesday. 
These  little  cooings  will  be  over  then. 


38  TIGER 

BARON. 

They're  over  now.     I  love  you,  Tige,  you 

devil! 
[He  kisses  her  passionately'} 

TIGER. 

\Wearily~\ 
Good-night. 

[Exit  the  Baron] 

ANNABEL. 

You  sure  have  got  him  going,  Tiger. 

TIGER. 

I'm  sick  of  him!     But  I  can't  throw  him 

down. 

The  fool  might  shoot  me  or  else  go  and  blab. 
He's  the  only  one  I've  cared  for  in  ten  years; 
And  I  knew,  the  night  I  met  him,  that  I  ought 
To  look  away  and  leave  him  be.  It  comes 
Of  letting  sentiment  into  your  business. 

ANNABEL. 

I  wonder  if  I'll  ever  fall  in  love. 


TIGER  39 

TIGER. 

The  only  other  man  I  ever  loved 
Married  me,  and  he  used  me  like  a  dog. 
The  time  I  wasted  moping  for  that  boy 
Would   have   set  me   up   by  now  in  Easy 

Street. 

I  hung  on  fourteen  months.  He  didn't  hand 
Me  coin  enough  for  food — there  were  other 

girls 
More    business-like    who    hadn't    married 

him — 
Then   cussed  me   when  I   couldn't  buy  his 

friends 
Big  eats  at  home.     One  of  them  helped  me 

out 
The  last  two  months.     He  liked  me.     And 

I  ran 

Away  with  him.  I  learned  a  lot  from  him. 
A  man's  an  easy  mark  unless  you  love  him. 
I  love  that  first  one  yet. 

[Crossing  to  the  bedroom  door  and  signi 
fying  Margaret  with  her  head] 

She  loves  the  Baron. 
[Speaking  through  the  door] 


40  TIGER 

Margaret? — When  you  choose  you  can  have 

food. 
Just  say  the  word  and  you'll  have  it — not 

before. 
You    know   what    good   your    screams    did 

Saturday ! — 

And  you  can  cry  till  doomsday  if  you  want, 
Nobody'll  hear.  Your  father'll  never  come. 
And  you  won't  kill  yourself.  I  didn't,  dear. 
Just  say  the  word,  I'll  send  you  in  Eugene — » 
Or  some  one  else — and  food! 

ANNABEL. 

[Improving  her  make-up.    Pallor  and  red 
lips  are  effective  with  her  black  hair~\ 

She  may  be  dead. 
TIGER. 

Dead  nothing!      I  can  hear  her  thro'   the 

door. 
She'll  come  to  terms.     Hunger  and  time  are 

good 
Persuaders.     And   she  knows   the   Baron's 

waiting. 

He'll  teach  her  first.     Then  nothing  mat 
ters.    Eight 


TIGER  41 

Or  ten  hours  more  at  most  and  she'll  begin. 
She'll  not  be  too  unhappy,  you  know  that, — 
Probably  happier  than  she  would  have  been 
With  a  cold  husband  and  an  empty  life 
Selected  for  her  by  her  Aunt  Louisa. 

[There's   a  knock   at   the   hallway   door. 

Annabel  goes  to  it~\ 

TIGER. 

Who  is  it? 

ANNABEL. 

Willie's  here. 
TIGER. 

Well,  let  him  in. 
ANNABEL. 

You  think ? 

TIGER. 

It's  safe  enough.     He's  an  old  friend. 
He  knows  the  game  and  plays  it  like  a  good 

one. 

In  fact  it's  sports  like  Willie  have  to  have 
The  dainty  morsels. 

[She  moves  Annabel  out  of  the  way  and 
opens  the  door  hers  elf  ~\ 


42  TIGER 

Come  in.    How  are  things? 
[Enter  Willie,   a  patron,   of  later  middle- 
age,  a  stout,  prosperous-looking,  pleasant 
gentleman] 


WILLIE. 

I'm  fine — but  hungry,  Tiger.    Cassie  said 

She'd  send  my  supper  here.     I've  been  out 
doors 

All    day    at    Ardsley — golf — played    well 
to-day. 

And  by  the  way,  we  asked  a  girl  out  there 

— A  decent  girl,  you  know — to  join  a  four 
some; 

And  what    do   you   suppose   she   said,    not 
meaning  it 

At  all,  referring  as  she  thought  to  one 

Of  the  sticks?    'I  never  play,'  she  said,  'don't 
know 

A  thing  about  it,  shouldn't  even  know 

Which  end  of  the  caddy  to  use.' 
[They  all  laugh'] 

Good,  isn't  it! 

Wonderful  figure  when  she  tried  a  stroke, 


TIGER  43 

And  a   lovely  face,   no    paint,    fresh    lips, 
young,  young! 

You  ought  to  have  that  kind  of  girl.     I'm 
tired. 

Of  all  your  girls !     I  come  here  still  because 
I  like  you,  Tiger. 
[Looking  round'] 

I'm  tired  of  Annabel. 
ANNABEL. 

[With  a  deep  bow'] 
Oh,  thank  you,  Willie. 

WILLIE. 

— Cassie,  all  of  them, 
The  same  old  faces.    Haven't  you  something 


new 


TIGER. 

I'm  tired,  Willie,  of  that  same  old  question. 
[A  sudden  sobbing  is  heard  in  the  inner 
bedroom~] 

WILLIE. 
Listen ! 

[It  dies  away  into  a  moan] 
What  was  that,  Tiger? 


44  TIGER 

TIGER. 

[Crossing  and  whispering  in  his  ear  with 
a  smile~\ 

'Something  new!' 

WILLIE. 

What  do  you  mean?    A  new  one?     In  that 
room? 

TIGER. 

Come  here  now,   dearie! — On  your  honor, 

sir, 
As    a    friend    and    gentleman — repeat    it, 

please ! 

WILLIE. 

Well,  Tiger,  on  my  honor 

TIGER. 

If  I  put 

You  wise  to  a  professional  master-stroke, 
You  will  not  preach  nor  peach? 

WILLIE. 

I  swear. 

TIGER. 

Willie, 
The  'something  new'  was  brought  here 


TIGER  45 

WILLIE. 

Never  mind 
The  story;  is  she  young? 

TIGER. 

Young  as  they  come, 

And  new  to  it, — in  fact  rebellious,  dear, 
And  fasting  for  her  pains. 

WILLIE. 

I'll  break  her  in! 

TIGER. 

The  Baron's  a  much  better  hand  at  it. 

WILLIE. 

Oh,  come!     It's  an  adventure! — let  me  try! 
I'll  be  as  gentle  as  a  kitten  with  her. 

TIGER. 

No,  no, — some  other  time.    There's  nothing 
in  it. 

WILLIE. 

But,  darling,  an  experience  and  different! 
Girls  like  me,  Tiger.     Come  on,  let  me  try ! 
I'll  make  it  worth  your  while. 


46  TIGER    • 

TIGER. 

Well,  you  may  have 

Your  supper  with  her,  if  you  want  to  pay 
Big  money. 

WILLIE. 

Sure.    I'm  rich  to-night.    I  won 
A  case  last  week.     And  I  am  going  to  win 
Another  case  to-night, — you  know,  a  case 
Of  love  at  first  sight.    That's  how  I  feel! 

TIGER. 

Go  in. 

And  don't  believe  the  fiction  that  you'll  hear. 
She's  peevish  now,   that's   all.     You  know 

these  girls 

And  their  romances  and  their  grievances. 
Help  her  forget  them,  Willie. 

[She  takes  a  key  out  of  her  pocket  and 
puts  it  in  the  lock  of  the  bedroom  door, 
then  turns  before  she  opens  the  door~\ 

Pommery? 
WILLIE. 

[Nodding] 
And  a  tasty  little  supper  for  your  Willie ! 


TIGER  47 

TIGER. 

{Unlocking  the  door] 

Remember  now,  you're  not  to  preach 

WILLIE. 

Nor  peach. 
TIGER. 

Promise  I 

WILLIE. 

I  promise.  Wish  me  good  luck,  Tiger! 
[She  opens  the  door  for  him;  he  enters 
the  bedroom.  There  is  a  pause,  then,  in 
side  the  bedroom,  a  scream  of  mingled 
terror  and  joy  from  the  girl,  and  a  moan 
from  the  man} 

MARGARET. 

{Her  voice  is  heard,  heartrending} 
Father!       Father,     I    knew    you'd    come! 
Father! 

WILLIE. 

[Reappearing    and    facing    the    women, 
livid} 

Give  me  her  clothes!     Damn  you,  give  me 
her  clothes! 


48  TIGER 

[Tiger  stands  motionless >  petrified.  Anna 
bel  crosses  as  in  a  nightmare  and  picks  up 
Margaret's  clothes  from  the  couch.  As 
she  pulls  them  across  the  table,  the  poker- 
chips  are  dragged  to  the  floor.  Annabel 
turns  at  the  sound  and  looks  down  at  the 
poker-chips,  dazed.  Willie  re-enters  the 
bedroom.  Annabel  suddenly  drops  the 
clothes  on  the  floor  and  runs  out  into  the 
hall.  Tiger  stands  motionless'] 


CURTAIN 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


AN  INITIAL  FINE  OF  25  CENTS 

WILL  BE  ASSESSED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  RETURN 
THIS  BOOK  ON  THE  DATE  DUE.  THE  PENALTY 
WILL  INCREASE  TO  SO  CENTS  ON  THE  FOURTH 
DAY  AND  TO  $1.OO  ON  THE  SEVENTH  DAY 
OVERDUE. 


301938 


FEB   24  1938 


YB  31543 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


